The trip to India has generated a lot of excitement on campus. Finishing grading, in particular, has opened up the doors for extensive speculation and castle-building regarding all that will happen in India. The last minute concerns seem to do with phones – where to get sim cards? Will our local phones work there? Will we have to sell our kidneys for a cell phone?
It has been difficult to be party to all this pre-travel enthusiasm owing to the sudden death of my close friend and coauthor, Jalal Alamgir. I have contemplated dropping out of the trip many a time in the last three weeks, but I will go in the name of this friend whose short life was a wonder and an inspiration. He worked on India and didn't like the place very much (mostly because of the research-restrictions that the government had imposed on him when he was writing a book), but he has always been ready for exploration and adventure. In that spirit, here I go.
Have a good trip and Happy New Year, Professor! Danny
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are sticking with us, Navine. What a semester you have had. Maybe there will be a moment on the trip when you can tell us a bit about your friend's work.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I've read online it sounds like Jalal was an amazing scholar and person. Thank you for plunging ahead, in spite of very reasonable jitters and misgivings.
ReplyDeleteI do hope it was humor (very poor) to say will I have to sell a kidney for a cell phone. Selling body parts is a very unfortunate economic alternative for many people. I hope you develop a deeper understanding what poverty can lead people to do on your trip
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